The Nation has published an article this month by Robert Kennedy, Jr. criticizing the Bush Administration’s environmental and scientific record. Kennedy’s comments follow those of over 60 nationally known scientists – including several Nobel laureates – who accused the Bush Administration in February of distorting scientific data for political gain. Kennedy writes:

As Jesuit schoolboys studying world history we learned that Copernicus and Galileo self-censored for many decades their proofs that the earth revolved around the sun and that a less restrained heliocentrist, Giordano Bruno, was burned alive in 1600 for the crime of sound science. With the encouragement of our professor, Father Joyce, we marveled at the capacity of human leaders to corrupt noble institutions. Lust for power had caused the Catholic hierarchy to subvert the church's most central purpose--the search for existential truths.

Today, flat-earthers within the Bush Administration--aided by right-wing allies who have produced assorted hired guns and conservative think tanks to further their goals--are engaged in a campaign to suppress science that is arguably unmatched in the Western world since the Inquisition. Sometimes, rather than suppress good science, they simply order up their own. Meanwhile, the Bush White House is purging, censoring and blacklisting scientists and engineers whose work threatens the profits of the Administration's corporate paymasters or challenges the ideological underpinnings of their radical anti-environmental agenda. Indeed, so extreme is this campaign that more than sixty scientists, including Nobel laureates and medical experts, released a statement on February 18 that accuses the Bush Administration of deliberately distorting scientific fact "for partisan political ends."

The full story can be found in the online version of The Nation. Scientists – both Republicans and Democrats – charge that no administration before this has ever tried to manipulate scientific material for political reasons like these before. Thanks to my mother-in-law, Alice Smith, for sending the link.

Churches on both the left and the right are getting more and more involved in the political process. That isn’t a bad thing (as long as the churches on the left win). The United Church of Christ is offering a new web site on how churches can become involved in the political process and still adhere to IRS laws for non-profits. Churches cannot, for example, endorse political candidates and maintain their tax exempt status. Yet churches can endorse ballot measures or reversely urge their congregants to oppose measures. Visit Our Faith, Our Vote and learn how your congregation can become involved in Election 2004.

Cross posted on The American Street

"I think there's every reason to think that huge numbers of the Iraqi population are going to welcome these people (American troops)." - Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz - April 4, 2003

Children point to a body part, tied to a brick and hanging from a telephone cable, after an attack in the restive town of Falluja March 31, 2004. A crowd of cheering Iraqis dragged charred and mutilated bodies through the streets of Falluja on Wednesday after an attack on two vehicles that witnesses said killed at least three foreigners. (Ali Jasim/Reuters)

Actually, four more American contractors were killed today along with another five American soldiers. Not much of a warm welcome.

The Clergy Leadership Network will be hosting a National Gathering of progressive religious leaders this May 16-18 in Cleveland. You can learn more and register online here.

At the National Gathering, progressive religious leaders will come together to speak and to be heard! Outraged by economic policies that pander to greed and favor the rich, and international policies that set our nation against the world, we are inviting all clergy and religious community leaders to gather in Cleveland to stand together. The Gathering will express the Clergy Network's passion for change in national leadership and national policy directions.

In Cleveland, we will offer a brief but dramatic witness to God's gift of hope and to a future marked by integrity and compassion.

What will happen?

- the Democratic presidential nominee will address the Gathering

- prominent religious leaders will give voice to CLN's movement for unprecedented progressive religious involvement in electoral politics

- progressive political leaders will focus on current public policies for states and cities, for the elderly and the jobless, for the environment and for children being "left behind"

- workshops will better equip clergy for active leadership in the 2004 electoral process and help them guide their communities in political participation as spiritual witnesses

- special sessions will empower seminarians and theological students to sharpen their faith-based ethics and to organize for political impact

The National Clergy Gathering and its important events will provide a forum for our shared values of justice and peace and for our recommitment to them. It will conclude in an interfaith celebration with the Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes, Senior Minster of Riverside Church, New York, as preacher.

From the Gathering will come a strengthened national network of clergy, religious leaders and lay men and women actively working for political leadership change and national policies of equity and opportunity that build up life for all.

Please return here for more information about the Gathering in the coming weeks.

If you have any questions, call the Clergy Network's national office: (202) 554-2121.

The American Street has the story about the new liberal radio network that starts up this week. In Portland, you can hear it on 620 AM.

the american street: Librul Radio

You can also listen the network on the web.

Visit their site here.

Are you listening?

Richard A. Clarke’s book Against All Enemies: Inside America’s War on Terror is still causing trouble for George W. Bush. Clarke’s testimony before the 9/11 Commission has forced the White House to relent and let National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice testify under oath and in public before the commission. Clark has charged that the Bush White House underestimated the threat from terrorism before the September 2001 attacks. Bush, Rice and other Republicans have since launched a smear campaign against Clark’s reputation. Clarke served under Reagan, Bush, Clinton and Bush as a counter-terrorism expert. I read his book over the weekend and found his critiques of all the different administrations he served under to be sound. Fighting terrorism is obviously complex. My one criticism is that he didn’t spend enough time discussing ways we could fight terrorism through public policy initiatives that build stronger cultural ties between perceived enemies. Make sure you read this book so that you can hear directly from Richard Clarke without hearing his words filltered through the media.

I leave for vacation and the editorial board of The Oregonian – never known for their soft touch – joins the Oregon Christian Coalition – never known for their compassion – in calling for the recall of the four Multnomah County Commissioners who support gay marriage. Then Lonnie Roberts – never known for his legislative or executive prowess – could just run the county himself. Strange days indeed.

Is there any kind of public referendum that could be used to recall the editorial board of The Oregonian? We could start small and just recall David Reinhard. Would anyone really miss him? In his place we could put Darcelle, Portland’s famous drag queen. Darcelle is much nicer than Reinhard, more articulate, a better dancer (I’m just guessing on this part), and a lot more compassionate. I’d read Darcelle’s column any day.

Praising the flock of conservative ministers who have joined the recall effort, Reinhard writes:

Yes, the ministers are mixing politics and religion, but they have no choice. And, as Desmond Tutu says, "Who's to say religion and politics don't mix? Whose Bible are they reading anyway?"

Is that the same Bishop Tutu who fought apartheid and supports gay rights? I’m pretty sure it is. Tutu might argue that Reinhard missed out on too many Sunday school classes (or just attended them at churches that historically supported racism, sexism, and homophobia).

As a seminarian, I’m pretty sure The Oregonian joining forces with the Oregon Christian Coalition (whose motto is “God loves everyone but you”) is a sign of something really bad to come.

The Oregonian published a profile article today on The One True b!X's PORTLAND COMMUNIQUE. Check out the story.

The One True b!X's PORTLAND COMMUNIQUE: Meta-Communique Archives

This morning we had another ultrasound. Above is a scan of their heads. Both babies are now just over 1 pound and doing great. Only a few more months until they arrive!

Each semester in seminary we are given a “Reading Week” where take-home exams, papers, and reading are assigned – but classes are not held. Alice, Liz’s mom, organized a trip for us to Maui for this reading week along with Liz’s sister Sarah, brother-in-law Paul, and niece Harriett. I can now attest that writing exams in New Testament studies is best done on or near a warm beach.

We swam, snorkeled, visited historic sites, watched whales, and ate at one incredible restaurant after another. Our six days in Maui went way too fast. This was our last big adventure before the arrival of the twins this summer. Sarah and Paul are also expecting a baby around the same time as us.

Check out all the pictures. And watch our live action movie.

Have you checked out the Center for American Progress web site? This is the progressive group formed as a public policy think tank to develop new policies on the economy and national security. If you’re looking for progressive news this is the place to visit.

God of justice and peace, love and life, we confess that we are often overcome by the loud and persistent voices of fear and anger. We do not hear the voice of Jesus, which seems but a whisper.

Fear trumpets, “Kill those whom you fear may kill you. The strong shall inherit the earth and the rich shall forever rule the earth.”

Yet Jesus says, “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”

Anger proclaims, “Those who live by the sword shall not only live, but flourish. Might makes right.”

But Jesus says, “Put your sword back in its place, for all who draw the sword shall die by the sword.”

Fear instructs us, “Forgive no one. Those who wrong you are wrong; by forgiving them, you excuse the wrong and only encourage them.

Yet Jesus warns us, “If you do not forgive people their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Anger declares, “Hate those who hate you; loving those who hate you only encourages them to take further advantage of you.”

But Jesus asks, “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.”

Fear shouts out, “Show everyone how strong we are so they will be afraid to challenge us. This is the way to prosper.”

Yet Jesus asks, “What does it prosper people to gain the whole world and lose their life?”

The voices of anger and fear seem so strong, the wisdom so alluring, the way so sensible and safe.

Still Jesus tells us that there is another way—the way of peace and justice, the way of love and life. When we lack the courage to seek your way, O God, when fear and anger overwhelm our faith, encourage and embolden us. Open us, O God, that we may follow the Prince of Peace. In Jesus’ name, we pray.

Amen.

- A Prayer for Peace From the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program

"Prayer is meaningless unless it is subversive, unless it seeks to overthrow and to ruin the pyramids of callousness, hatred, opportunism, falsehoods. The liturgical movement must become a revolutionary movement, seeking to overthrow the forces that continue to destroy the promise, the hope, the vision."

- Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel

A Reflection by Archbishop Oscar Romero Martyred Roman Catholic Bishop of El Salvador

This what we are about:

We plant seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted,
knowing that they hold future promise.

We lay foundations
that need further development.
We provide yeast that produces effects
beyond our capabilities.

We cannot do everything
and there is a sense of liberation
in realizing that.
This enables us to do something
and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning,
a step along the way,
an opportunity for God’s grace
to enter and do the rest.

We may never see the end results
but that is the difference
between the master builder and the worker.
We are the workers, not master builders,
ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets
of a future not our own.

One Year Later ... An National Council of Churches Reflection

This weekend marks the one-year anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq. There will be peace marches. There will be candlelight vigils. There will be political speeches. But one thing that may be lacking is sustained reflection on who we are as a nation, one year later.

To begin such reflection, we must necessarily think back to that fateful day of September 11, 2001. For it was on that day that our world changed. Certainly there had been terrorism before 9/11, in the United States and in other parts of the world. But it was on that day that the world realized that terrorists have the capability to utterly destroy all that civilized humanity has achieved.

We now have a March 11, the day of the large-scale terrorist attack in Spain, the day the world was once again reminded of the magnitude of terrorism’s destructive power. As in all acts of terrorism in all parts of the world, we mourn with the families of the victims in Madrid. Indeed, 3/11 will now stand as an exclamation point in the sad narrative of world affairs in the two-and-a-half years since 9/11.

In between 9/11/2001 and 3/11/2004, the United States, along with a small cadre of allies, waged war in Afghanistan and Iraq. In Afghanistan, we defeated the Taliban, only to leave the search for the 9/11 culprits unfinished and the Afghani people without the necessary infrastructure to rebuild their lives. In Iraq, we defeated Saddam Hussein, only to plunge the country into chaos and the Iraqi people into further instability after years of oppression.

The United States Government led the American people to war in Iraq as part of its “war on terror.” In fact, the progress of the “war on terror” has become the standard against which we have come to measure ourselves as a nation. Now, after a year of increasing violence that seems to be spiraling out of control in Iraq and around the world, many Americans - those who supported the war and those who opposed it - are reflecting on our choices. One year later, what have we learned?

We have learned yet again that we are capable of waging war. What we have forgotten is that the true greatness of our country lies, not in our military might, but in the ideals of freedom and justice and equality. Since the founding of our nation, our ideals have been an inspiration to others. In the last year, the United States - through its preemptive invasion of Iraq, through its dismissal of the international community, through its continued imprisonment of detainees without due process as mandated by U.S. and international law - has inspired disappointment and resentment around the world.

We have learned that we are quick to seek retribution. What we have forgotten is that, in order to build up from the ashes of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the fields of western Pennsylvania, the blood of others will not nurture future peace. Certainly, the perpetrators of this crime should be brought to justice in the courts of law. But, as we seek a future free of terrorism, it is good to remember that it is also necessary to remedy the causes of injustice in the world that breed perpetual destructiveness.

We have learned that we can be misled by fear. What we have forgotten is that the American spirit has long been characterized by bravery in the face of adversity. Since 9/11, we have allowed ourselves to be manipulated by fear. How else to account for our willingness to yield to restrictions on civil liberties, to squander our long-term social well being in favor of unchecked military spending, to accuse our allies of disloyalty instead of weighing the validity of their concerns?

On this somber anniversary, the National Council of Churches USA has called for prayer vigils in churches, mosques, synagogues, and other houses of worship across the country. People will gather in congregations and town squares nationwide to mourn the dead - the hundreds of American and international soldiers; the thousands of Iraqis; the several missionary and other aid workers. There will be fervent prayers for the many thousands who have been injured in this conflict, and who, perhaps for the rest of their lives, will live with wounds to body, mind and spirit.

Let us also use these vigils, and other opportunities, to reflect on who we are as a nation, one year later.

Portland’s Willamette Week has named Multnomah County Commissioner Serena Cruz a “Rogue of the Week” for failing to take out a building permit on construction to her home. Normally the “Rogue” award is given out to people who have done something a little more evil – or at least with bad intent. WW’s is doing nothing more that heaping it on to a politician who has already gotten some bad press over the gay marriage debate. Why anyone who would for office these days is beyond me. Thankfully, Serena Cruz, a Harvard trained lawyer, with the guts to make difficult decisions, has been willing to honorably serve the community. A simple mistake doesn’t warrant a roguish award.

The Rev. Karen Dammann was found "not guilty" for being gay in a United Methodist church trial. Check out Paul Nickell's blog for all the latest.

The National Coalition for the Homeless, in partnership with organizations across the country, is asking Congress to pass comprehensive legislation to address issues of homelessness. The Bringing America Home campaign seeks to create a national housing trust fund, protect the civil rights of those living on the streets, expand educational opportunities, and create a living wage for American workers.

Sign the petition and show your support.

Here's Liz - now at 21 weeks. Only 19 more weeks to go (though the doctors assume the twins will come a little early).

The United Church of Christ Justice and Peace Action Network have released their Legislative Update for 2004. The document includes an overview of all the legislative priorities the public policy arm of the United Church of Christ hopes to address this year and a review of priorities from last year.

Bush is my shepherd, I shall be in want.
He leadeth me beside the still factories,
He maketh me to lie down on park benches,
He restoreth my doubts about the Republican Party,
He guideth me onto the paths of unemployment for the Party's sake.
I do fear the evildoers, for thou talkst about them constantly.
Thy tax cuts for the rich and thy deficit spending
They do discomfort me.
Thou anointeth me with never-ending debt,
And my savings and assets shall soon be gone.
Surely poverty and hard living shall follow me,
And my jobless children shall dwell in my basement forever.

(someone sent this to me - unknown author)

Howard Dean kicked off his new organization today with a Seattle speech. Democracy for America begins with five goals:

1. Recruit and encourage progressive candidates to run for office at every level. We will help them find the resources to campaign successfully with small donations from grassroots supporters, to begin to break the stranglehold special interests have on the political process.

2. Raise funds for Congressional candidates for whom financial support could be the key to winning, and whose election will be key to winning back a House of Representatives that has become the tool of the Republican right wing.

3. Develop strategic partnerships with other progressive organizations to maximize resources for candidate recruitment, training, and organization.

4. Build relationships with other political initiatives to focus on the failed, destructive policies of the Bush administration.

5. Harness the power of the Internet to enlarge and support our grassroots organization committed to taking back America from special interests that control the right wing leadership of our Congress and the White House.

Check out the Blog for America story here:

Blog for America : A New Day | March 18, 2004

CNN’s Aaron Brown is reporting that the Pakistani president told him that forces have surrounded a “high-profile” al Qaeda target – presumably Osama bin Laden. However, it could be another leader of al Qaeda. There have been many false "bin Laden is captured" stories over the last two years.

1:15 PM UPDATE: It is now thought that al Qaeda's number 2, Ayman al-Zawahri, is the high-profile target that is surrounded by Pakistan.

Why worry about bad press when you can create fake news that puts you in a good light? That is what the Bush Administration has figured out after three years in office. According to The New York Times, over 30 TV stations ran “news stories” produced by the Bush Administration on Medicare:

WASHINGTON, March 14 — Federal investigators are scrutinizing television segments in which the Bush administration paid people to pose as journalists praising the benefits of the new Medicare law, which would be offered to help elderly Americans with the costs of their prescription medicines.

The videos are intended for use in local television news programs. Several include pictures of President Bush receiving a standing ovation from a crowd cheering as he signed the Medicare law on Dec. 8.

The materials were produced by the Department of Health and Human Services, which called them video news releases, but the source is not identified. Two videos end with the voice of a woman who says, "In Washington, I'm Karen Ryan reporting."

But the production company, Home Front Communications, said it had hired her to read a script prepared by the government.

The TV stations involved apparently thought the “news stories” were real and now the General Accounting office is investigating at the request of members of Congress.

Donald Rumsfeld told reporters this weekend that no one in the Bush Administration ever called Iraq an “imminent threat” before the start of the war. Of course, the Bush Administration did make those comments and the reporters were ready with quotes from none other than Donald Rumsfeld. Watch the video.

Meanwhile, in the Iraq that the Bush Administration claims is free and on the way to democracy, another major bombing has taken place. Iraq is in chaos and there is no end in sight.

Benton County, Oregon is about to start handing out marriage licenses to gays and lesbians. The decision has drawn the support of local leaders from the United Church of Christ.

The Rev. Liz Oettinger of First Congregational United Church of Christ said her church has been officiating same-sex unions for 13 years, and that the church supports all committed relationships.

"The Bible calls Christians to fight against the forces of prejudice and the disregard of persons," she said.

The Corvallis Gazette-Times reports that the decision was opposed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Suburban Christian Church.

The other day Loyd Hubbard, my former colleague from Baloney Joe’s (the now defunct eastside Portland shelter) and good friend, had a great letter to the editor in The Oregonian about Dignity Village:

The wise vote from the City Council was four to one to reclassify Dignity Village as a transitional campground.

As one justification for your opposition to the council's action, your Feb. 29 editorial, "The council caves on Dignity," quotes Doreen Binder, executive director of Transition Projects, as saying, "There's no accountability out there in terms of showing that people are getting out of homelessness."

Anyone who knows anything at all about nonprofits understands that the competition for money among them is fierce, and few would ever give any credit to a competing program that might take away dollars from their own.

With this new designation as a transitional campground, it is time for the city to step up and work with the folks who want to make Dignity Village truly effective in moving people out of homelessness.

Positive action, not negative rhetoric, is now required.

LOYD HUBBARD Southwest Portland

I'll also mention that Doreen Binder is also a good friend of mine and former colleague (we worked at Transitions Projects together before she became the executive director). Doreen is a great advocate for ending homelessness, but I agree with Loyd on this one.

George W. Bush’s campaign is running commercials lauding his achievements in Iraq. Is the world better off without Saddam Hussein in power? No question about it. Is the world safer now? No. Sadly, the American invasion of Iraq has created even more chaos in the Middle East. American soldiers continue to die nearly every day. Spain, one of the few allies in Iraq, is set to withdrawal from the conflict. The administration wants you to believe they never told the America people Iraq was an imminent danger (though that is what they said time and time again) and that the mission was humanitarian in nature. Churches across the United States are holding peace vigils this weekend to mark the 1-year anniversary of the invasion – and to remind people how theologically difficult it is to have called this unprovoked invasion a just war.

Today was another ultrasound day for us. Baby A is above and Baby B is below. As they get bigger it becomes a little more difficult to get a clear view of the entire baby. But they still look cute to us. The reason we have so many ultrasounds is the risk identical twins have for something called twin-to-twin transference – where one baby grows bigger than the other. Right now the twins are the same size and seem to be progressing well.

From the AP:

KINGSTON, N.Y. - Two Unitarian Universalist ministers were charged Monday for marrying 13 same-sex couples, thrusting the clergy into the legal battle over gay marriage in New York.

Ministers Kay Greenleaf and Dawn Sangrey were charged with multiple counts of solemnizing a marriage without a license, the same charges leveled against New Paltz Mayor Jason West who last month drew the state into the widening national debate over same-sex unions.

Read more on the developing story.

I often spend time complaining about how different denominations react to theological and social issues. Last night Andy Rooney remarked on 60 Minutes how “bitterly divided our country is right now.”

"I hope I'm not contributing to that,” he said. “Even though I'm right and everyone else is wrong."

Like Rooney, I tend to be right whenever I offer criticism. But a fellow named Gary Aknos - who loves to write-in and criticize this blog – wrote in again this morning to direct readers to UCCtruths.com. This site is put together by someone whose only intention is to catalog how he thinks the United Church of Christ gets things wrong. Check it out. I offer the link in the spirit of open debate.

The Clergy Leadership Network is now offering membership to seminarians. By joining you'll be part of a network of interfaith leaders working to change America in 2004.

As religious leaders we will pursue a public role of influence for change in the communities where we and so many others live and vote. We will engage public issues and clearly voice our understandings of values rooted in our faith commitments. We will lead our religious communities to embrace political participation as a spiritual expression. With full respect for constitutional restraints, we will guide our religious communities toward fair and positive involvement in election awareness and activity. We will reach beyond nonpartisanship and work collaboratively with all those who share our commitments to progressive changes in leadership and in public policies.

Click here to join online. You'll get copies of the CLN online newsletter, action alerts, and information on the upcoming National Gathering.

Ministers from the Unitarian-Universalist Association may face legal charges in New York for performing same sex marriages. Ulster County District Attorney Donald Williams, who brought charges against Mayor Jason West, is considering doing the same against The Rev. Kay Greenleaf and The Rev. Dawn Sangrey. The two ministers started performing the ceremonies after a court ordered West to stop.

Historically the Southern Baptist denomination drew members from different political philosophies, strongly supported the separation of church and state, and let local congregations have control of their own affairs. Women were even allowed to pastor churches.

Not anymore. A conservative take over of the church hierarchy has forced liberals and moderates to flee, caused the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship to form, stripped women of the right to be ordained as clergy, and taken away local control from churches. Some of America’s most prominent Southern Baptists, including Jimmy Carter, have left the church and some congregations have all together split from the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC).

These days the church seems little more than the religious arm of the Republican Party. Their newsletter and web site are filled with articles praising George W. Bush and assailing John Kerry and other democrats. The SBC was one of the only Christian denominations to back the Iraq war.

Southern Baptist leaders have done a great job of getting their message out. When you hear about the “Christian position” on a social issue in the media you often find a Southern Baptist behind the microphone.

The reality is quite different. There are both progressive and conservative Christians in America (and a lot more people in between these two extremes). When you hear the Southern Baptists tell you this election year that they represent God’s position remember that a lot of Christians disagree and think the SBC really just represents the Republicans.

This week students from throughout Oregon have been participating in a Model Presidential Nominating Convention. The convention has been held every four years since 1968. It was started by Jim Barlow and Bill Pressly, both then teachers with the Beaverton School District, and both now semi-retired. Presidential candidates like Bobby Kennedy, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Michael Dukakis, Jesse Jackson, and Bill Clinton have appeared at the various conventions which are normally held at the Memorial Coliseum. Whether the convention is Democratic or Republican depends on which party is out of power in the White House. Students from different schools represent states, research issues, hammer out a party platform, and nominate a presidential and vice-presidential candidate. I was a student in the 1984 convention and then worked as a volunteer for several others. Liz, when she was teaching for the Beaverton School District, had her classes participate. The above photo of Jim Barlow was taken yesterday by our friend Janet Miller, who is assisting Barlow this year. So was the below photo of Oregon’s governor addressing the students yesterday.

My cousin Tonya and her husband Rob celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary today. Time flies. The best part: their daughter Hannah! The worst part: Like Tonya, Rob went to Clemson. But we love them both anyway.

United Church of Christ Action Alert

The past weeks of fighting between police and rebel forces, and pro-and anti-government bands, have left over 100 people dead in Haiti, and the death toll mounts daily. Revenge attacks against civilians, government installations, and the homes of government supporters are on the rise. In the midst of the chaos and danger in Haiti, we must all remain prayerful and ready for action on behalf of the people of Haiti.

The UCC/DOC Common Global Ministries Area Office for Latin America and the Carribean is closely monitoring the situation through constant communication with our partner church in Haiti, the National Spiritual Council of Churches of Haiti (CONASPEH), and the nearly 4,000 churches and Haitian people we have served through our Global Ministries missionaries there.

The international community's response to the crisis has been weak. The need is great for justice and peace advocates to call upon the U.S. government to support a peaceful and thoughtful political solution to the present crisis, launch congressional investigations on how the "transfer of power" took place in Haiti, and release $587 million in financial aid for reconstruction, which has been held up since 2000 and stands at the root of much of the disaffection in Haiti. It is also important to urge Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge to grant Temporary Protective Status to Haitians already in the U.S. for a period of 18 months to provide them safety and work authorization until the chaos subsides.

To send a letter to President Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell click here.

Oregon’s Attorney General has issued an opinion that gay marriage might not be legal and the governor is telling reporters that Multnomah County shouldn’t issue same sex marriage licenses.

Read more here:

worldwide pablo: Dred Scott, Oregon style

They cried to God in their trouble, and God saved them from their distress: God sent out God’s word and healed them, and delivered them from destruction. Amen.

From Ps. 107

I confess a great deal of ignorance in regards to Spanish politics. But I know that terrorism is wrong – it is in defiance to the will of God – and God grieves for those lost and wounded. We fail God each time we take up weapons against God’s creation. So tonight I hope we can all pray for the Spanish people as they bury their dead. May their leaders have the wisdom of the Prophets who warned that circular violence only brings continued suffering for all.

The One True b!X's PORTLAND COMMUNIQUE is reporting that two national "religious" groups are asking the Oregon Supreme Court to halt gay marriage in Multnomah County. Click below for the full story:

The One True b!X's PORTLAND COMMUNIQUE: Breaking News: Groups Ask Oregon Supreme Court To Halt Same-Sex Marriages

The two groups involved include Liberty Counsel and the American Family Association. Both groups are part of the radical far right. Their main targets are gays and lesbians, pro-choice organizations, public schools, and leaders in the Democratic Party. They maintain close philosophical and political ties to the most extreme elements in the Republican Party.

The California Supreme Court has ordered San Francisco to halt issuing marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples. At the same time, liberal Massachusetts legislators gave preliminary approval to a state constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. Voters will decide the issue.

On the national front, gay Republicans have launched ads against George W. Bush’s proposed federal amendment banning gay marriage. Watch the ad here.

On the religion front, The Rev. Karen Oliveto, a United Methodist minister in San Francisco, could loose her status as a clergy person for performing same-sex marriages in San Francisco.

The Rev. Karen Oliveto conducted seven ceremonies at San Francisco City Hall and an eighth in the sanctuary at Bethany United Methodist Church during the Feb. 15 worship service. Oliveto, Bethany's pastor, said she was acting on requests by the eight gay or lesbian couples after City Hall announced it would issue the marriage licenses. The pastor, who knew all the couples, said she took the requests as "an opportunity to extend pastoral care" to her parishioners.

Her district superintendent, the Rev. Jane Schlager, informed her Feb. 19 that a complaint has been filed against her for "disobedience to the order and discipline of the United Methodist Church." A pastoral and administrative supervisory meeting in early March with Bishop Beverly Shamana of the California-Nevada Annual (regional) Conference will be the next step in the complaint process.

Next week United Methodists in Washington State will witness the church trial of The Rev. Karen Dammann. Damman came out as a lesbian and may also loose her ordination.

"The case has become much bigger than me now, and I hope it will give the church an opportunity to grow," she said. "The ultimate act of trying someone for being gay is bound to shake the tree - I hope in the direction of inclusiveness."

These are interesting times.

"How many more people are going to die because he can't say, 'I'm sorry, I made a terrible mistake'?"

- Cherice Johnson, whose husband, Navy Corpsman Michael Vann Johnson Jr., was killed by a rocket-propelled grenade last March, now questions President Bush

The Washington Post ran an article this morning on the growing number of families with relatives serving in Iraq who question the American invasion. Read the article here.

Learn more by visiting Military Families Speak Out.

"We are not your bought clergy, Mr. President. We are not bought religious communities."

Rev. Albert M. Pennybacker replied to President George W. Bush's first campaign speech delivered to a Los Angeles conference of ministers and religious workers. It was organized by his White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

Speaking as Chair and CEO of the newly launched Clergy Leadership Network, a nationwide interfaith movement of progressive liberal, moderate and evangelical clergy, Rev. Pennybacker challenged the President's claim that he was "talking about healing our nation…not…politics."

"The President was addressing a religious leaders group organized by the White House. He was addressing those religious groups that have been the recipients of federal funds. And it preceded a $2,000 a plate campaign fund-raising event! He is stretching the truth when he says his address is not political."

Rev. Pennybacker continued, "The President actually described his readiness to violate the religious protections in our Bill of Rights when he said, 'It is hard to be a faith-based program if you can't practice your faith.' That is the point. We believe faith-based programs should be financed out of faith-based pocketbooks, not federal funds through White House programs."

"Further," he continued, "these constitutional provisions have given our country a level playing field for all religious groups. They have also protected those who have no religious interests or even oppose religion from having their taxes support institutions of which they are not a part. That is fairness, and that is the American way. Both America and religious communities have prospered."

Pennybacker countered the President's description of those gathered in Los Angeles as "social entrepreneurs." "We are ministers of social justice. We believe when 'love of neighbor' goes public, it means justice and social caring. Individual benevolence is not enough. A pittance, relatively, for the poor from an office in the White House is only demeaning. Social policies that address poverty and joblessness are what we care about. On that score, the Bush Administration is sorely deficient."

"We reject the arrogant boast of President Bush, speaking of his faith-based programs, that he bypassed the Congress and '…I did it on my own.' We believe in the good judgment of the people's representatives, not an autocratic Chief Executive, especially where constitutional guarantees are involved. Arrogant exercises of office ill-become any President."

Pennybacker challenged President Bush again: "Clergy Network is convening a National Clergy Gathering in Cleveland May 16-18. It is not being arranged by a White House office. All clergy are welcome. There you will see that hundreds of religious leaders refuse to be compromised by federal funds in service to political advantage. We will pursue the 'justice for all' that is grounded in our faith."

CLN National Committee member, Rev. Conrad A. Braaten had this to say upon hearing President Bush's campaign speech on Wednesday evening:

The Bush administration's faith-based initiative works like this: Upriver, a pirate raiding party ravages a city, looting the middle-class and poor [of jobs, homes, health care, education, workplace protection...] and after throwing the hungry, homeless, jobless and disenfranchised into the Poverty River, hoping they will just disappear [a majority of whom are people of color], takes some of the loot taxed from these same victims to distribute to churches strategically located downstream and out of sight (i.e..awareness and understanding) of the big city carnage to help them pull a few folks from the current and give them a sandwich before they are dragged back into the raging waters. Then the pirate's PR people take pictures of the sandwich program and say to the world: "We are not pirates pillaging the big city and pummeling people into the river. Look! we are the ones giving 'our money' to help those poor people get a bite to eat." Meanwhile the churches, so grateful for the sandwich support, hail the pirate as "great benefactor" and vote for him. "Give them bread", said Caesar, "and you will have their heart".

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John Kerry and Howard Dean were hanging out today. Said the governor:

John Kerry and I had a very good meeting today. During the campaign we often focused on what divided us, but the truth is we have much more in common beginning with our fervent desire to send George Bush back to Crawford, Texas in November. The future of our country depends on this.

In addition to our strong commitment to turning this country around by beating George Bush, John and I also share a strong commitment to providing healthcare to every American, cleaning up and protecting our environment, and getting the 3 million Americans who lost their jobs during George Bush's presidency back to work.

As I have previously said, I will work closely with John Kerry to make sure we beat George Bush in November and turn our country around. There is a lot we can do together to rebuild an America that belongs to all of us, and we'll be saying more about what our amazing grassroots network can do to help with this goal on March 18.

The Rev. Dr. Arvin R. Luchs is the senior pastor at Portland's First United Methodist Church. This is the congregation I served as director of community outreach before leaving for seminary. Every two weeks the church publishes a newsletter called The Circuit Rider. With Arvin’s permission, I’m posting the article he wrote for the most recent edition of the newsletter on gay and lesbian marriages in Multnomah County.

Years ago a colleague observed, "Maturity is the ability to live with ambiguity." If that is true, this is a time that demands exceptional maturity. I am finding that clear answers are elusive-questions persist. Looking at the future there is more uncertainty than clarity. Perhaps that's always the way it is in moments of swift change. And that's what's happening these days.

Like restive magma, boiling, pushing and straining against it's earthen cap, the movement to remove legal barriers to marriage for same-sex couples seems to be erupting in communities large and small across our country--including our own. Some believe the momentum is unstoppable. Six couples in our congregation have already taken vows. For many of us it is a long overdue acknowledgment of basic human rights and dignity. For others, it is a deeply troubling change that augers the erosion of cherished values. And I ask, is this the bellwether of an new age of civility-or the harbinger of protracted conflict and acrimonious polarization?

My heart is touched and I celebrate with friends involved in deeply loving relationships who exuberantly embrace this never-dreamed-possible-day when they can be legally married. To witness any couples who, through tear-streaked eyes and trembling lips, offer their love and faithfulness "as long as we both shall live" is a tender, even sacred moment. For same-sex couples it demands an extraordinary courage. They face troubling questions:
will they be able to grow old together in marriage-or will legal challenges prevail and their license be revoked? Will this day of joy dissolve into nights of despair?

I struggle with the responsibility to be a pastor to all the people in the parish. It is both a humbling duty and a precious trust to serve with you, to search with you for God's will, to laugh with you for joy, to weep with you in distress and to love you through it all. Brenda and I were ordained to do all in our power, with God's help, to provide support and counsel in such moments. Yet the same denomination, which set us to the task, appears to contradict its mandate by forbidding our pastoral care to some of our parishioners when they seek the covenant of marriage. We pray for that day when we will be able to fully participate in this important time in our parishioners' lives. I wonder: will the Spirit mediate change in United Methodism-or will the dissonance continue?

On this issue the people of Christ are deeply divided. Men and women of faith, open to discern the leading of the Spirit, have come to differing conclusions. I'm aware we do not all agree within this congregation--even, sometimes, within our own households. Tony Campolo, speaking last week to an audience in Portland, indicated that he and his wife differ--she supports and he opposes same sex marriages. It has pushed theologians to a core debate about the "authority" of the Bible: does the scripture contain "the Word of God"or is it, literally, "the words of God?" (to borrow a distinction from Marcus Borg [The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith, Harper San Francisco, 2003, p. 8]) Too often the debate has turned to name-calling and judgementalism. Attempts to build bridges of communication between brothers and sisters in faith too often degenerate into frustrating diatribe. I grieve: will we find both the patience and the words that enables us to dialogue and work together--or will the church-the body of Christ-be broken yet further?

The scriptures know about change. The Gospel is about God's reconciling love and about the in-breaking of God's reign. Jesus said none of us have a grasp of what the future will bring. (cf Mt 9:30, 11:37) He urged leaving it to God and living with trust in the present and not in anxiety about tomorrow (see Mt 6:25ff) The letter to the Hebrews says: to be faithful is to accept that we must live with hope and trust in God--not certainty. Good words for changing times.

Arvin R. Luchs

Next Wednesday, as part of the church’s Lenten Supper Series, my friend Multnomah County Commissioner Serena Cruz will be speaking. I’m sorry to miss that.

The Rev. Dr. Robert W. Edgar, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches, issued a statement today on nuclear disarmament.

Being the world’s only superpower comes with responsibility. For to whom much is given, much is required. What is required is that we use our status to make the world a better and safer place for generations to come. What is required is that we recognize what we do for the most vulnerable of our brothers and sisters, we do for God, as we are taught in Matthew 25:40. What is required is that we take a stand for what is right and just. What is required is that we take a stand so that we no longer live under a cloud of fear that one day the world, and all the people in it, will be destroyed by nuclear weapons. We, at the National Council of Churches, along with others in the faith community, are committed to continue to work tirelessly to make sure the madness of the nuclear arms race ends and instead, peace and justice prevail.

The statement was issued as part of an event calling attention to the growing proliferation of nuclear weapons since the end of the Cold War. You can read about the event here.

The attorney for the Oregon Legislature issued an opinion today that Multnomah County’s decision to allow gay and lesbian marriages was the constitutionally correct decision to make.

I’ve been remiss to mention that Liz’s longtime friends Mary and Jeff had twin boys. Joseph and Benjamin arrived on January 22nd.

And yesterday I got word that our friends Marc and Kris gave birth to little Anja on January 30th.

Our twins should have lots of playmates!

George W. Bush went to the rodeo yesterday and then to yet another fund raiser.

This is the same man who says he cannot find more than one hour to meet with the independent commission investigating the 9/11 attacks.

“If the president of the United States can find the time to go to a rodeo, he can find the time to do more than one hour in front of a commission that is investigating what happened to America's intelligence and why we are not stronger today," (John) Kerry said.

In response to Kerry pointing out the obvious, the White House said today the President might find more than an hour to be questioned by the commission. Maybe. No guarantees.

He might have to attend another rodeo that day.

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